Briefings

Manufacturer news

EPA honors Sarnafil

Sarnafil Inc., Canton, Mass., was presented with the Environmental Merit Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award recognizes exceptional work and commitment to the environment.

Sarnafil received the award for its manufacturing commitment and promotional advocacy in support of its partnership with EPA and the ENERGY STAR® Roof Products Program, as well as raising awareness and providing information about the air quality and energy-efficient benefits of ENERGY STAR-labeled roofs to building code development bodies and state department of environment officials.

Englert opens facility

Perth Amboy, N.J.-based Englert Inc. has announced the opening of a new 10,000-square-foot (929-m²) office adjacent to its company headquarters. Set to serve customers in New Jersey; Staten Island; New York; eastern Pennsylvania; and northern Delaware, the facility features 2,500 square feet (232 m²) of office and showroom space, as well as 8,000 square feet (743 m²) of warehouse space.

The new facility also features three bays for distribution and pickup and houses seven personnel.

Firestone adds manufacturing line

Indianapolis-based Firestone Building Products Co. has announced it is constructing a third manufacturing line at its 80,000-square-foot (7432-m²) TPO plant in Wellford, S.C. The new line will double Firestone Building Products' current TPO capacity, and construction is expected to be complete in 2006.

The Wellford plant produces Firestone Building Products UltraPly™ TPO roofing membranes and accessories. The new line will allow the plant to operate three TPO manufacturing lines.

"TPO has become one of the most popular new commercial roofing options, particularly in the western and southern U.S., where energy efficiency remains a critical issue," says Wayne Hunter, vice president of operations for Firestone Building Products. "Adding a new TPO line allows us to meet the growing demand for environmentally responsible roof systems while positioning us for future growth."

In addition, Firestone Building Products and Wilmington, Mass.-based Admiral Building Products Inc., a regional sales representative for Firestone Building Products, joined to donate $10,000 to the Foundation Friends Program of the North/East Roofing Educational Foundation (NEREF) Inc.

The donation is part of a commitment the companies made in 2003 to contribute $50,000 during a five-year period. As a result of the donations, NEREF established a Platinum Scholarship for vocational school and college students. NEREF will award seven $1,500 scholarships this year.

Firestone Building Products also donated $10,000 to the Roof Consultants Institute (RCI) Foundation at the RCI 20th International Convention and Trade Show in Miami Beach, Fla., April 2. A philanthropic sister organization to RCI, the foundation researches, educates and informs about roofing industry issues.

Steelscape relocates product lines

Steelscape Inc., Kalama, Wash., has announced the relocation of its metallic-coating and paint lines from Richmond, Calif., to Shreveport, La., to better serve the U.S. market.

The 200,000-square-foot (18,580-m²) plant will be built in three phases and is expected to be operational in 2006. It will generate an estimated 500,000 tons (453,592 metric tons) of finished product per year and employ about 240 people.

Up the ladder

G-P Gypsum, a subsidiary of Georgia Pacific Corp., has named Dan Caruth western commercial roofing manager; Jeff Herrmann commercial roofing manager for DensDeck® Roofing Products; and Mike Vazquez eastern commercial roofing manager.

Trimline® Building Products has appointed Vince Farrell sales manager for national builder accounts and Jim Meyers Eastern regional sales manager.

Duro-Last® Roofing Inc. has named Amanda Frahm engineering services technician; Suzanne Gilbert senior programmer/analyst; Anna Hernandez marketing account coordinator; Shane Kistler chief financial officer; James McLellen production supervisor; Patrick McRae international sales manager; David Ploof government services administration sales coordinator; Scott Shockey engineering services technician; Christy Shorkey sales secretary; Keith Slater warranty services tech; and Charles Smith Sr. plant supervisor.

BASF Corp. has appointed Christopher Lubbers senior technical service representative for BASF's functional polymers business.

Contractor news

Contractor passes away

Gary L. Houck Jr., director of operations for Houck Services Inc., Harrisburg, Pa., recently passed away. Houck was 29.

During his career, Houck also worked as special projects manager for Beldon Roofing Co., San Antonio, from 2002-03 and roof maintenance manager of Hamlin Roofing Co., Raleigh, N.C., from 2003-04. He was a speaker at NRCA's 115th and 117th Annual Conventions and was a member of various roofing industry associations, such as NRCA and the American Subcontractors Association. Houck also set up TheKidsTrust, an organization for abused children whose mission is to give these children "a safe, happy and exciting environment to grow up in."

Houck is survived by his sister, Kara Ayn; father and stepmother, Gary and Patti Houck Sr.; mother, Diane Houck; grandfather, Lawrence E. Houck; and stepmaternal grandparents, Jacob and Doris Downey.

The Houck family requests memorial contributions be made to TheKidsTrust, c/o Commerce Bank, 6071 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg, PA 17112.

Distributor news

ABC Supply sponsors racecar

American Builders and Contractors (ABC) Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis., will sponsor the No. 14 car in the Indy Racing League IndyCar® Series. Part of a sponsorship agreement with racing legend A.J. Foyt and A.J. Foyt Racing, the car will be driven by A.J. Foyt IV, grandson of A.J. Foyt.

"This is a fun and exciting opportunity for us to connect with our current and future customers," says Ken Hendricks, founder and chief executive officer of ABC Supply. "Our people are really energized about our association with the IRL IndyCar Series and A.J. Foyt Racing."

Other news

SPRI standard is approved

SPRI's standard for specifying a field-test procedure to determine the mechanical uplift resistance of a specific roof insulation/adhesive combination was approved as a national standard in accordance with American National Standards Institute Protocol.

Designated ANSI/SPRI IA-1, 2005, "Standard Field Test Procedure for Determining the Mechanical Uplift Resistance of Insulation Adhesives over Various Substrates," the standard primarily is intended for when an existing roof system is being replaced or re-covered and the general condition of the substrate is in doubt. It offers a field test to obtain data that can help determine whether a system will have the required wind-uplift resistance.

CRA awards contractors

The Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) announced award winners at its Third Annual Awards Dinner on Feb. 10. Winners included the following: Academy Roofing Inc., Aurora, Colo., and M.B. Roofing, Commerce City, Colo.—first place for the steep-slope job of the year; Boulder Roofing Inc., Boulder, Colo.—second place for the steep-slope job of the year; Rocky Mountain Roof Doctors, Broomfield, Colo.—third place for the steep-slope job of the year; Front Range Roofing Systems LLC, Greeley, Colo.—first place for the low-slope job of the year; Arapahoe Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Broomfield—second place for the low-slope job of the year; Academy Roofing—third place for the low-slope job of the year; and D&D Roofing, Commerce City—honorable mention for the low-slope job of the year.

In addition, CRA awarded Ed Reilly the CRA Lifetime Achievement Award. Reilly worked at Johns Manville, Denver, for 29 years and spent 18 years at TAMKO Roofing Products, Joplin, Mo.

RCI announces president

The Roof Consultants Institute (RCI) announced Thomas W. Hutchinson, RRC, AIA, principal of the Hutchinson Design Group Ltd., Barrington, Ill., was elected president of RCI.

Hutchinson served as RCI's first vice president for the 2004-05 term. He is a certified energy professional in Chicago; secretary of CIB/RILEM International Joint Committee on "Roof Materials and Systems"; and member of The American Institute of Architects, NRCA, Construction Specifications Institute and ASTM International's Committee on D08 on Roofing, Waterproofing and Bituminous Materials.

"I've been associated in different capacities with RCI for many years and appreciate the value the organization places on continuing education focusing on roofing industry challenges, as well as their members' professional development," Hutchinson says. "I look forward to serving as the ambassador of RCI's members in building upon those established values with a stronger commitment to the construction industry and community."